Free

Opened in August 2018, this wonderful family friendly water splash pad has been well received by visitors and locals alike.Operating from 8.00am to 8.00pm, the automatic water park gives all a welcome... break from the heat and the sea. Designed and created by the Mission Beach Rotary Club, with local business support and expertise, the “Splash n Dunk” is located on the beach front at Wongaling Beach, and is accessible to all. For more information, please contact Rotary Club of Mission Beach

We provide creative opportunities for the people of Mission Beach and surrounding areas. Mission Arts is a self- funding community run arts centre that aims to stimulate and encourage collaborative,... vibrant arts and cultural opportunities for the people of Mission Beach and surrounding areas. Mission Arts is open to the public daily 10am – 2pm. Our community arts centre includes a workshop, gallery and shop space for local art to be displayed and sold, where local and visiting tutors can run workshops and pass on their skills and others can come to learn and enhance their art and craft. Our weekly Art From The Heart Acrylic Painting Group, Acting Up Theatre Group, Drawing Group and Supervised Pottery Open Days are open to residents and visitors alike with COVID Safe Plans in place for the safety of all members, volunteers, and participants. A monthly Oiled Painting Group has been established

El Arish (Pronounced EL-A-rish) is nestled in the Mission Beach Hinterland just off the Bruce Highway between Tully in the South, and Innisfail in the North. It is surrounded by rainforest, cane paddocks,... banana farms and beautiful scenery. Mission Beach, Kurrimine Beach and Dunk Island are right on our door-step. We are only a tiny population (around 270) by many of the families still living in El Arish and Surrounds have ancestors that came to the Soldiers Settlement when it was established under "The Returned Soldiers Settlement Act of 1971" Under the Act the area was first called "The Maria Creek Soldiers' Settlement" at EL Arish and was established on the 1st August 1920.

Great Picnic Spots Alligators Nest A beautiful rainforest stream for swimming and picnics. BBQ, picnic and toilet facilities, crystal clear water and magnificent surroundings (6.7 klm from Tully). Turn... right into Tully from the Highway into Butler Street, the main access. The first right again into Murray Street, following the cane train tracks. There are two more right hand turns, and the road is called Murray Street all the way. Continue on this road until you see the sign for ‘Alligators Nest State Forest Park’, where you turn left. From Tully to this point has been 5.8 klm. It is only a further 800 metres to the car park, picnic and beautiful swimming spot. No kiosk and definitely NO crocodiles or alligators! You can either return via the same route into Tully, or at the ‘Alligators Nest State Forest Park’ continue straight ahead. Continue over the Bookal Bookal Creek. “Look Out for Trains Crossing”. Take the first right at the sign saying “Feluga”. Travel past the Feluga School and onto the Feluga Hotel on the corner (5 klm from the Alligators Nest Sign). Follow the road “LOOK OUT FOR TRAINS - DANGER” , over the lines and onto the Highway. You can either travel straight across the Highway and head back towards Mission Beach via the East Feluga Road which is the most direct way, turn right towards Tully and turn at the Mission Beach turn off, or left towards El Arish and take the Mission Beach turn off. Tully Gorge Approximately 44 klm inland from Tully on a sealed road. Drive up Butler Street, turn left at the Post Office into Bryant Street. Drive till you pass the cemetery and brick works, and follow the directions. You travel through banana plantations, cattle grazing country and rainforest. After the road crosses the Tully River, you are entering the Gorge itself, which is an outstanding example of a tropical rainforest gorge. There are excellent views from the sealed road which traverses the Gorge up to Cardstone and the Kareeya Power Station. The Tully River is renowned for white water rafting which operates throughout the year. There are marked viewing areas for watching the white water rafting action, viewing times are approximately 1pm and 2pm daily. At the entrance to the gorge there is a beautiful camping area on the river with BBQ facilities, and safe for swimming. No Kiosk. Murray Falls These falls, among the prettiest in North Queensland with their 30 m drop, spectacular sculptured rocks and crystal clear rock pools can be viewed from an easily accessible platform. Turn from the Highway 18 kilometers south of Tully. It is well sign posted. Travel approximately 22 klms to the camping and picnic area, where you can also enjoy swimming, walking and BBQ facilities. The drive takes you through the Murray Upper region which is a banana and lychee growing area. Paronella Park - Mena Creek Travel north on the Highway towards Innisfail, and turn left from the Highway at Silkwood (7 Klm from El Arish/Mission Beach turn-off). Follow the signs to Japoonvale, (a further 12 klm) through wonderful scenery and this historic sugar growing area. Follow the signs from Japoonvale to Mena Creek (10 klm). The delightful area of Mena Creek is where Jose Paronella fulfilled his dreams building a magnificent Spanish Castle, and planting thousands of trees to establish a romantic garden. Set on 13 acres of rainforest, this is a delightful place to picnic, swim near the falls, feed the ducks and fish, spot turtles, watch the birds and butterflies, take a guided tour and visit the museum and craft shop. Picnic facilities, toilets, kiosk. Entrance fee charged into park. Council picnic area on opposite side of Creek allows access for swimming, toilets, BBQ and picnic facilities if you don’t wish to enter the Park. Walking distance to Mena Creek Hotel, General Store and Post Office. Gas and Ice available at the General Store. Easy access for swimming is via a concrete walk , with some stairs, which takes you down to the pontoon from where you can swim over to the falls. Return on a different route via South Johnstone (8 ½ klm away) to the Highway, then south to El Arish and the turn-off to Mission Beach. Rotary Park - Wongaling Beach Toilets, gas BBQ’s, picnic tables, under cover shelter, good views of Dunk Island, absolute beachfront. Allan Wheatley Memorial Park - Wongaling Beach Wood BBQ’s, picnic tables, toilets (disabled catered for), under cover shelter, children’s play area, good views of Dunk Island, absolute beachfront. South Mission Toilets, under cover shelter, BBQ facilities, picnic tables, on the beach Bingil Bay Toilets (across the road). BBQ facilities, picnic tables on the beach Mission Beach On the beach at the end of Seaview Street, to the north of Castaways Resort and the Stinger Net (November to May). Picnic tables and toilet facilities and Takeaway Food Kiosk.

The Mission Beach Aquatic Centre was made possible to to the funding of the Australian government, Queensland government, the Cassowary Coast Regional Council as well as the Mission Beach Aquatic and Recreation... Club. The Mission Beach Aquatic Centre features a 6 lane 25 metre outdoor pool, Lagoon, Children’s Water Park as well as an Indoor Hydrotherapy Pool. *Billabong pool (unheated) will remain closed until 31st August. *The complex is a pet-free area. Contact Pool staff to find out more regarding water based classes and swim clubs on 4068 7256 or email mbaquaticcentre@gmail.com Opening hours: Monday to Friday : 5.30am – 6.30pm Saturday : 8.00am – 4.00pm Sundays & Public Holidays: 10.00am - 4.00pm Pool admittance charges: $4.50 – adult $3.50 – pensioner $4.00 – for children $2.00 – non-swimming spectator

MUSGRAVEA TRACK (TRACK BETWEEN LICUALA AND LACEY’S CREEK WALKING TRACKS) 6 KM – ONE WAY – APPROX. 2.5 HOURS This longer track is a multi-use track for walkers and mountain-bike riders. It is the... only track in Djiru National Park where bicycles are permitted. This mainly flat track is suitable for dry weather access and requires a medium level of fitness. It follows an old forestry road used in the 1960s and 1970s to haul timber from South Mission Beach to the El Arish timber mill. The track heads north from the car park at the Licuala day-use area and exits on to the El Arish–Mission Beach road about 2 km east of the Lacey Creek day-use area. For safety reasons, the old vehicle bridges have been removed and detours to the two creek crossings have been marked for walkers and cyclists. Bicycles will have to be carried down several steps, through the creek and up several steps at each creek crossing. Creeks in this area are subject to flash flooding and caution should be exercised. The Musgravea track and the Dreaming trail join shortly before the road exit.

LICUALA FAN PALM WALK 1.2KM - APPROX. 30 MINUTES Licuala Fan Palm Walk is accessed from the Tully –Mission Beach Road, approximately 1km after the South Mission Beach turn off heading towards Tully... from Mission Beach. There is approximately 1 km of unsealed road to the car park. The walk commences from the car park. Take along Morning Tea and sit amidst the lush greenery of Licuala Fan Palms. This is a spectacular walk featuring a 10 -15 metre high canopy of Licuala Fan Palms. Mission Beach has approximately 50% of the remaining Fan Palm Forest in Australia. Their fleshy orange fruit is a favourite food of the elusive cassowary. The walk is a flat easy walk and there are numerous name plaques to ease the curiosity explaining many of the features of the rainforest including cassowaries, vines, epiphytes, strangler figs, ferns, water and nutrient cycling. At the southern end of the loop there is a special 536 metre Fan Palm Boardwalk. The Children’s walk is approximately 350 metres where by following the Cassowary footprints, the children can view a Cassowary nest and eggs. You may see the rare Cassowary, the famous iridescent blue Ulysses Butterfly, Green Tree Frog, Scrub Turkeys or Wallabies. Licuala National Park is on the Mission Beach to Tully road.

ULYSSES LINK AND THE CUTTEN BROTHERS’ WALKING TRACKS 1.5 KM - 30 MINUTES The Ulysses Link walking track commences on the beachfront at Mission Beach Village. It is named for the brilliant blue Ulysses... butterflies, the 1.5km Ulysses Link Walking Track winds its way along the breathtaking foreshore. The history of Mission Beach has been interwoven along the walk with indigenous and historical stories expressed through mosaics, carvings and ceramic sculptures created by local artists. The track meanders north to Clump Point where it meets up with The Cutten Brothers’ Walking Track. The Cutten Brothers’ Walking Track commemorates the first white settlers who came to Mission Beach area in 1882 and settled at Bingil Bay, where they farmed mangoes, bananas, pineapples, coffee, citrus fruit and coconuts. They also manufactured their own coffee. Produce was shipped south on cargo-boats. The forest on the Cutten Brothers’ Walking Track is known as Complex Mesophyl Lowland Vineforest and is the only surviving remnant left at sea level. This beautiful cool green world is filled with Epiphyte bird nests, Elkhorne ferns, Lianes, Feather leaf tree fern, Cordyline, huge trees with plank buttresses covered in mosses and plants known as Cauliflory. It is the home to the Cassowary, Scrub Turkey, parrots, wallabies the shy Betong and many small mammals and reptiles. It is also the habitat of dozens of different species of birds and butterflies.

The gently-rising hills of the Family Islands contrast with the jagged and lofty profile of Hinchinbrook Island, which dominates the southern horizon. Dunk Island, like the other Family Islands, is cloaked... in a mosaic of dense rainforest in protected gullies and wet slopes. Eucalypt forest, with an understorey of palms, occurs on drier more exposed ridges. The Family Islands lie within the traditional sea country of the Bandjin and Djiru Aboriginal peoples, who, for tens of thousands of years, have collected, gathered and hunted the rich marine and island resources for food and materials. Today they retain a strong connection to these islands. Lieutenant James Cook named Dunk Island in 1770 but it is best known from the writings of the 'beachcomber', E.J. Banfield. Living on Dunk Island from 1897 until 1923, Banfield wrote four books about the island's natural and cultural history. Dunk Island offers a range of walking tracks which allow exploration of the island's famed natural history and rediscovery of its fascinating past. Take an easy stroll through the rainforest to a secluded beach or embark on a climb to the summit of Mount Kootaloo. (The distances and times below are calculated for walks beginning on Dunk Island Spit). MUGGY MUGGY BEACH — 3 km return (70 mins) Grade: easy From the spit, walk to the north-east end of the beach to the start of the walking tracks. This pleasant walk winds through rainforest, coastal woodland, and mangroves before arriving at Muggy Muggy Beach. At this picturesque sandy cove, sheltered behind a rainforest clad headland, enjoy a swim and snorkel before returning along the same track. Access to this walking track may be affected by tidal influences at certain times. MOUNT KOOTALOO — 7 km return (3 hrs) Grade: moderate From the spit, walk to the north-east end of the beach to the start of the walking tracks. This more strenuous walk winds up a steep track to the 271 m summit. Cyclone-damaged rainforest on the lower slopes allows glimpses over the island and reefs as the track ascends. On the upper slopes, the forest opens out and eucalypts emerge through the canopy. Near the summit, a short branching track leads to a lookout, which offers spectacular views over the Family Islands and nearby mainland. Near the lookout, the remains of No. 27 Radar Station, built during World War II, are slowly being reclaimed by the rainforest. The track continues around the summit, rejoining the main track and returning to the beach. Access to this walking track may be affected by tidal influences at certain times. ISLAND CIRCUIT - 9.2 kilometres (3 hrs) Grade: moderate From the spit, walk to the north-east end of the beach to the start of the walking tracks. Mt Kootaloo, you’ll pass through the magical Palm Valley and then onto Coconut Beach. Not for the faint hearted, this challenging walk will introduce you to Dunk Island’s lush green rainforest where you are likely to encounter the many different species of birdlife. The islands support many species of birds, insects, reptiles and mammals. The brilliant blue Ulysses butterfly has become a symbol for Dunk Island. The fringing reefs surrounding each of the islands are home to a diversity of reef life. Extensive seagrass beds lie between the islands providing important feeding grounds for sea turtles and dugong. Upon finishing your walks, you can unpack the picnic in the Day Use Area where you will find toilet and BBQ facilities and spend the rest of the day relaxing under the shade of the palm trees. Access to Dunk Island via private boat, hire boat, Mission Beach Dunk Island Water Taxi or charter boat.

LACEY'S CREEK WALK 1.5KM - APPROX. 45 MINUTES Lacey’s Creek Walk is approximately 7.5km from Mission Beach Village along the Mission Beach – El-Arish Road. Lacey’s Creek offers you crystal clear... waters running over pebble stones. There are picnic tables, BBQ’s and toilet facilities for your convenience. This walk is best appreciated when walked in an anti-clockwise direction. Starting from the Cassowary Information Shelter, here you can learn about cassowaries, which are frequently seen in the area. Cassowaries rely on the rainforest for their food and shelter. The fruit of over 230 rainforest plants provides them with a large menu to choose from. Signs identify a variety of the food plants growing near the cassowary information shelter. The track passes through rainforest and exits at the picnic area near the car park. Signs along the track provide information about the evolution of various plants and animals. About half way round, a viewing platform allows walkers to peer into a calm pool of Lacey Creek and spot saw-shelled turtles and fish of various types. Signs help with identification. Cassowaries are often spied at Lacey’s Creek.